Ökonomische Konsequenzen der Verbissprobleme an der Rigi-nordlehne

Abstract

Stand regeneration with suitable tree species plays a key role in the management of protection forests. This is complicated in many regions in Switzerland due to browsing damage caused by game animals. In particular, the regeneration of the valuable Abies alba species is regionally heavily impaired. This can entail considerable expenses for the support of stand regeneration and compensation of lost protective effects. Using the Rigi- Nordlehne in Switzerland as test location, the following three questions were studied with the help of an analysis of cost-effectiveness and based on the Rigfor forest development model: 1) What costs are to be expected over the next 50 years for protection measures against browsing damage, 2) what would be the cost of a reduction of the game population size and 3) what measures are necessary for the replacement of the protective effects against avalanches and what are the respective costs? The study resulted in cost estimations for technical measures against browsing damage, game regulation and the combination of these two strategies. In addition, costs for the replacement of lost protective effects related to snow movements were estimated. The study shows, that the high pressure of browsing damage at the Rigi-Nordlehne causes forest management problems as well as economic disadvantages. Their amount is 3 million to 6.6 million Swiss francs within 50 years depending on the measures taken. Thus, the results obtained by the study at the Rigi-Nordlehne provide a new argument in the discussion of regeneration in protection forests, which in Switzerland for many years has mainly been lead based on silviculture and game ecology issues.